2026–27 Message from the Director of Education

Dr. Ruth A. Smith, CHE, MIH
Director of Education, ICHRIE

Warm Greetings to Our Global ICHRIE Community of Educators,

Welcome to the 2026–27 academic year! I am honored and grateful to continue serving as your Director of Education. On behalf of the ICHRIE Education Committee, I invite colleagues across the globe to join us in a year of collaboration, innovation, and purposeful action. Together, let us inspire one another, strengthen our teaching, and create meaningful opportunities for our students.

Our commitment to Igniting Pedagogy and Propelling the Advancement of Teaching and Learning continues to guide our work. Building on this foundation, our focus for the year ahead is clear: Let us move strategically, act intentionally, and lead purposefully. Together, we will advance teaching practices that support educators, engage students, and strengthen hospitality and tourism education worldwide.

I am pleased to recognize our 2026–27 ICHRIE Education Committee, whose perspectives and expertise connect our work across all six federations:

• Dr. Ruth A. Smith, Bethune-Cookman University, Chair, ICHRIE Director of Education
• Dr. Daniel Leung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, APac CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Dr. Eric Brey, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Central CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Dr. Amanda Miller, Manchester Metropolitan University, EMEA CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Dr. Michael Tews, Penn State University, NENA CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Dr. Soyoung Park, Florida Atlantic University, SECSA CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Dr. Jie (Jamie) Sun, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, WEST CHRIE Federation, Director of Education
• Ms. Mary Richards, ICHRIE Educational Engagement Manager

I sincerely thank each member for contributing their time, creativity, and leadership to this shared mission.

Our work remains grounded in ICHRIE’s Teaching and Learning objectives: providing resources that support best practices; creating opportunities to learn from industry partners so that curricula remain relevant and students graduate industry-ready; strengthening member satisfaction and engagement; and sharing resources on current trends in higher education.

Our Priorities for 2026–27

This year, we will build on our educational initiatives while making teaching resources more accessible and extending opportunities for members to learn from one another.

Pedagogy On-The-Go
We will continue sharing concise, practical teaching strategies that educators can adapt and apply in their classrooms. These resources will encourage fresh approaches to student engagement, experiential learning, and meaningful assessment.

Creative Teaching Lab: Extending the Impact
We will highlight ideas and contributions from the Creative Teaching Lab throughout the year, helping members bring innovative practices into their own teaching. We will also prepare for the Creative Teaching Lab at the 2027 ICHRIE conference, creating opportunities for educators to share, demonstrate, and exchange their approaches.

Refreshing Our Teaching & Learning Webpages
Working with ICHRIE’s marketing team, we will refresh the Teaching & Learning webpages to improve access to resources, showcase educational initiatives, and support continued professional growth.

Connecting Educators Across Federations
Collaboration is central to our work. We will encourage contributions from across our six federations, recognizing that our collective strength lies in the diversity of our experiences, institutions, and teaching contexts.

As emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, reshape educational practice, we must remain thoughtful and intentional about how we teach. Our responsibility is to help students develop the critical thinking, ethical judgment, adaptability, and leadership skills they need to thrive in an evolving industry.

Your Voice Matters

I invite you to share a classroom practice, contribute a teaching resource, suggest a topic, or participate in the Creative Teaching Lab. Whether you are exploring a new approach or refining one that has served your students well, your experience can inspire and support a colleague.

Thank you for your continued commitment to ICHRIE and to the students whose futures we help shape. I look forward to working with you as we turn shared ideas into meaningful action throughout 2026–27.

Let us move strategically, act intentionally, and lead purposefully.

Warm regards,

Dr. Ruth A. Smith, CHE, MIH
Director of Education, ICHRIE
Chair, ICHRIE Education Committee
Bethune-Cookman University